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Upgrade or replace? Is it time for a new Mac computer or time to make your old Mac computer work like new? This can be a difficult distinction to make for Mac computer users given the outstanding lifespan of these machines.

Food for Thought – Upgrade or Replace?

Upgrading your Mac computer is often times the least expensive way to get that wonderful new computer feeling. If you are experiencing a shortage of disk space or if your computer is taking a long time to boot up and complete simple tasks, you may want to consider simply upgrading your hard drive to a Solid-State Drive (SSD). You can also consider purchasing an external hard drive to keep all your media files on – i.e., movies, photos, music, and games. Lastly, if you find your Mac computer’s performance has become sluggish, it may be a sign that it’s time to upgrade the random-access memory (RAM).

Although upgrades can take care of some problems, there are some issues that just cannot be remedied by hardware upgrades. Sometimes a replacement is the necessary upgrade to a time-ravaged Mac computer. Depending on how old your Mac computer is, you may find yourself unable to upgrade to the latest macOS® software. Should you find yourself in this situation, it may be time to consider a replacement. Software issues can be a huge detriment to your productivity. If you find that your computer is constantly freezing and experiencing performance issues, it may be a sign that the hardware on your current Mac computer just isn’t cutting it anymore and maybe it’s time to replace it.

If you still have questions about whether an upgrade or a full replacement are best for you and your needs (as well as your budget), we encourage you to bring your Mac computer to your local Experimac store. We can run a full diagnostic check and help you determine the best plan of action for your computer.

With the start of every new year, most people find themselves reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the new year – goals set, accomplishments, adventures, risks taken, failures, travel plans, relationships, personal health and fitness, etc.

Starting a fitness journey can seem like a daunting task at the onset. However, having a strong support system can sometimes make all the difference. Did you know that your Apple Watch® device has developed a feature that allows users to interact with friends and family while working out throughout the day? Reaching your new year’s goals has never been easier!

Take a look at how you can share your Apple® watch activity progress with friends and family.

The first step to sharing your activity progress is by adding friends to share your activity progress with. You can add up to 25 friends to join you on your fitness journey. This includes family members, friends, and even co-workers who are on a similar journey to good health.

Once they accept your invite, they can view your progress and more importantly, you can view their progress. This brings a little bit of friendly competition and can serve as a great motivational tool to keep you on point past the first few weeks into the new year. Activity data you can share includes calories burned, minutes exercised, hours stood, steps taken and even distance traveled.

Best part? You can also message your friends from the Apple Watch interface. See your friends struggling to close their rings or notice that your dad has skipped the gym for a few days? Send them a message to motivate them!

Want to know more about how to get the most out of your Apple Watch device in 2018? Call us or stop by your local Experimac location today to speak to one of our specialists.

2017 was an exciting year for Apple product fans that featured some great software improvements along with some impressive hardware upgrades. There were, however, a few bumps along the road with some weird bugs here and there, but overall, we received some amazing new features and upgrades on some of our favorite products from Apple, Inc.

Take a look back on 2017 . . . the best of Apple Inc.’s releases for the year . . .

The iPhone X® device was definitely the upgrade Apple fans have been waiting for. From the addition of augmented reality through its powerful camera, to the implementation of facial recognition technology to unlock your phone, the iPhone X device delivers an impressive entry to the iPhone® device

Apple Watch Series 3® device introduced a GPS feature to the Apple Watch® device line allowing users to access navigation without having their iPhone device on them. They also released an LTE version which adds cellular connectivity to your Apple Watch

The iMac Pro® computer is a powerhouse, all-in-one computer that brings the power of virtual reality to the iMac® computer product

. . . As well as the weirdest bugs of the year . . .

The “A ?” bug was likely one of the more frustrating bugs of 2017. While typing on their iPhone devices, users experienced an issue where “I” auto corrected into “A ?”. A patch was later released and this issue has thankfully been resolved but while it lasted, it managed to drive everyone nuts.

The macOS® High Sierra launched with a bug that allowed any user to create an administrative account on a Mac computer without a password. This issue posed a serious security threat; however, everyone was grateful that it was patched within 24 hours of its release.

With every new, exciting development, there sometimes comes a bug, something that’s just not working as it should. Thankfully, Apple product fans know that Apple is always looking to make things better. Should you still be struggling with one of these bugs or if you’re interested in certified pre-owned products, end the year on a high note and stop by you local Experimac store today.

Microsoft Edge is an Internet browser alternative to Safari which can be downloaded from the App Store. It provides an exciting suite of features that make for an excellent browsing experience on a mobile device.

Below are some tips for using the Microsoft Edge browser on your iPhone device:

Surf your way! Microsoft Edge offers users several bowser customization options. By going into the browser settings, you can choose whether you want to browse in standard light mode or dark mode. By turning on dark mode, it changes the user interface to black. You can also choose your default search engine. Bing is an amazing search engine, but it’s nice to know that users have the ability to choose Yahoo or Google as alternatives if they prefer one of those.

When browsing the Internet, you may come across some information that you may want to view on a larger screen. While using Microsoft Edge, you can link multiple devices through your Microsoft account and seamlessly transfer webpages to other devices making

For users that want to stay current with the latest news, Microsoft Edge offers a dedicated news feed on the home page. Stories update automatically so all you need to do is scroll through for the most recent headlines.

The Microsoft Edge browser also offers voice search and a barcode scanner for times when a standard keyboard input is not optimal.

Shopping for that perfect gift can sometimes be a difficult secret to keep from our loved ones. Not to worry, Microsoft Edge offers an InPrivate browsing option to help keep certain tidbits of information top secret.

If you haven’t given Microsoft Edge a try on your iPhone device, we think you’ll like what you find so give it a try today. Should you run into any issues with it on your iPhone device, don’t hesitate to stop by your local Experimac store. Our techs are ready to help!

Are you frustrated with your Mac computer because of a slow hard drive? Has it frozen on you multiple times? It always seems to happen when you’re in a rush or trying to meet a deadline.

Consider updating your Mac computer with a Solid State Drive (SSD). This easy upgrade offers users a much faster computing experience as SSDs are more energy efficient, more reliable and even quieter than other hard drives.

Upgrading your Mac computer’s hard drive to an SSD can make one of the most drastic differences to your Mac computer’s performance.

But how much difference, really?

Take a look at how much of a difference upgrading to an SSD can make in even the slowest Mac computer:

Upgrading your hard drive to an SSD can greatly improve the speed of your computer’s hard drive in many ways, particularly when completing everyday tasks. Perhaps the most drastic change users notice is the improved time it takes the computer to reach the login screen. Booting the system can be up to 61% faster when using an SSD as compared to using the older standard hard drives.

Reaching your favorites on Safari will also be faster by upgrading to an SSD. How much faster? Up to 51% faster! Even surfing the web can be up to 8% faster by upgrading your current hard drive to an SSD. Bring new life to your Mac computer by investing in an SSD upgrade!

Not sure if upgrading your hard drive to an SSD is right for you? Stop by your local Experimac store today to find out more. Our experienced techs are available to answer all of your hard drive and SSD related questions today.

Do you have an Apple® device that is damaged or running slower than usual? Are you in need of screen repair for your iPhone® device or a new, larger hard drive for your iMac® computer? At Experimac Winchester, their experienced techs are prepared to tackle a variety of repair jobs for any of your Apple productsin Frederick County. Their team is committed to getting your technology back in working condition in a timely manner; no appointments are necessary and same day repairs are performed whenever possible.

Whether you dropped your iPhone device or are experiencing problems with your iMac computer or MacBook® laptop, the locally owned and operated computer repair store has the tools and expertise you can rely on for repairs and upgrades. The team at Experimac Winchester is up to date with the latest technology and training; they will thoroughly inspect your device and assess the situation before making recommendations and fixing your Apple product. Has your computer or laptop slowed down to the point that working on it is stressful? It might be time to increase the speed with a RAM upgrade. Are you desperately in need of software updates? No problem is too small or large for the knowledgeable techs at Experimac Winchester, VA. They are prepared to tackle an array of issues such as:

Screen repairs

Screen replacements

Battery replacements

Home button repairs

Charger port repairs

Hard drive upgrades

RAM upgrades

Operating system updates

Software updates

And much more!

In addition to cell phone and computer repair services, Experimac Winchester has a large selection of certified, pre-owned Apple products including iPhone devices, iPad® tablets, iMac computers, and MacBook laptops. If you are in the market for any accessories, they carry high-quality keyboards, monitors and other essential accessories.

Do you have an old iMac computer, MacBook laptop or other Apple product sitting in your closet collecting dust? Is there an iPad that nobody uses anymore sitting on a shelf in your office? Bring those used Apple products to Experimac Winchester and trade them in; get money on the spot!

Experimac Winchester takes pride in delivering a superior customer experience by building relationships with every customer and offering the best customer service in the industry. They will take the time to listen to the issues you are having with your Apple products and customize their services for you. They work hard to make sure they exceed your expectations; Experimac offers a 90-day warranty on their services and products.

The next time your Apple products are in need of repairs or upgrades, or you are looking to purchase a quality, certified pre-owned Apple device, give the pros at Experimac Winchester a call at (540) 486-4472.

Screen Repair Vs. Replacement

Whether you have a Samsung smartphone or tablet or an iPhone® device or iPad® tablet, you know one thing for sure: their screens are fragile, and repairing them can be a frightening prospect. That’s probably why you see so many people walking around with cracked or even shattered screens on their tablets and smartphones. But repairing a cracked screen does not have to be frightening if you turn to a reputable repair store like Experimac Cumming.

The screen repair process for Apple devices and Samsung devices are somewhat different, and both intricate, which is why you should not attempt it on your own. When an Apple device needs repair, the display assembly is the first component that is disassembled. This makes accessing and repairing the screen fairly straightforward. However, other components can be easily damaged in the process, so removing the screen on your own is not recommended. Samsung devices also require meticulous disassembly to avoid damage to pertinent materials, so repair is best left in the hands of experts.

When you bring in your damaged Apple device or Samsung device for screen repair to Experimac Cumming, you can rest assured that the problem will be properly diagnosed. Our experts will run a full diagnostic scan of the device and carefully disassemble only what is necessary. The damage will be pinpointed and repaired in a cost-effective and timely manner. Often, your tablet or smartphone device will be ready for you the same day or even within the same hour because at Experimac Cumming, we know how important your device is to your daily life, and we don’t want you to be without it any longer than is necessary.

After your device is properly repaired, our technicians will guide you in preventing future damage and will be happy to address any concerns you have. We pride ourselves in offering the best customer service in the business so we also offer a 90-day guarantee on all of our repairs. If something on your repaired device gets damaged, we will repair or replace the defective part at no cost to you.

Cracked screens happen but at Experimac Cumming, we want to make sure that damage doesn’t end the life of your Apple device or Samsung device.

Screen Repair Vs. Replacement

Whether you have a Samsung smartphone or tablet or an iPhone® device or iPad® tablet, you know one thing for sure: their screens are fragile, and repairing them can be a frightening prospect. That’s probably why you see so many people walking around with cracked or even shattered screens on their tablets and smartphones. But repairing a cracked screen does not have to be frightening if you turn to a reputable repair store like Experimac Temecula.

The screen repair process for Apple devices and Samsung devices are somewhat different, and both intricate, which is why you should not attempt it on your own. When an Apple device needs repair, the display assembly is the first component that is disassembled. This makes accessing and repairing the screen fairly straightforward. However, other components can be easily damaged in the process, so removing the screen on your own is not recommended. Samsung devices also require meticulous disassembly to avoid damage to pertinent materials, so repair is best left in the hands of experts.

When you bring in your damaged Apple device or Samsung device for screen repair to Experimac Temecula, you can rest assured that the problem will be properly diagnosed. Our experts will run a full diagnostic scan of the device and carefully disassemble only what is necessary. The damage will be pinpointed and repaired in a cost-effective and timely manner. Often, your tablet or smartphone device will be ready for you the same day or even within the same hour because at Experimac Temecula, we know how important your device is to your daily life, and we don’t want you to be without it any longer than is necessary.

After your device is properly repaired, our technicians will guide you in preventing future damage and will be happy to address any concerns you have. We pride ourselves in offering the best customer service in the business so we also offer a 90-day guarantee on all of our repairs. If something on your repaired device gets damaged, we will repair or replace the defective part at no cost to you.

Cracked screens happen but at Experimac Temecula, we want to make sure that damage doesn’t end the life of your Apple device or Samsung device.

Screen Repair Vs. Replacement

Whether you have a Samsung smartphone or tablet or an iPhone® device or iPad® tablet, you know one thing for sure: their screens are fragile, and repairing them can be a frightening prospect. That’s probably why you see so many people walking around with cracked or even shattered screens on their tablets and smartphones. But repairing a cracked screen does not have to be frightening if you turn to a reputable repair store like Experimac Cherry Hill.

The screen repair process for Apple devices and Samsung devices are somewhat different, and both intricate, which is why you should not attempt it on your own. When an Apple device needs repair, the display assembly is the first component that is disassembled. This makes accessing and repairing the screen fairly straightforward. However, other components can be easily damaged in the process, so removing the screen on your own is not recommended. Samsung devices also require meticulous disassembly to avoid damage to pertinent materials, so repair is best left in the hands of experts.

When you bring in your damaged Apple device or Samsung device for screen repair to Experimac Cherry Hill, you can rest assured that the problem will be properly diagnosed. Our experts will run a full diagnostic scan of the device and carefully disassemble only what is necessary. The damage will be pinpointed and repaired in a cost-effective and timely manner. Often, your tablet or smartphone device will be ready for you the same day or even within the same hour because at Experimac Cherry Hill, we know how important your device is to your daily life, and we don’t want you to be without it any longer than is necessary.

After your device is properly repaired, our technicians will guide you in preventing future damage and will be happy to address any concerns you have. We pride ourselves in offering the best customer service in the business so we also offer a 90-day guarantee on all of our repairs. If something on your repaired device gets damaged, we will repair or replace the defective part at no cost to you.

Cracked screens happen but at Experimac Cherry Hill, we want to make sure that damage doesn’t end the life of your Apple device or Samsung device.

When you think of vintage, you might think of something that has been around for twenty or thirty years. But in the world of technology, vintage has a very different meaning. An Apple computer is considered vintage or obsolete if it is just 5 years old. After this amount of time, Apple Inc. stops production of the product and all its components, and no longer provides any repair services for it. So what is a “vintage” Mac® computer owner to do when that machine needs a repair or upgrade? Are you expected to give up on it and just buy a new one? Most people can’t afford to do that.

This is when you turn to the trusted computer repair experts at Experimac Fredericksburg. At Experimac Fredericksburg, we continue to provide repairs and upgrades on Mac computers that Apple Inc. no longer services. We know that even if your computer has been deemed obsolete, it still has a lot of life left in it, and we will work with you to get it functioning like new. When you bring your vintage computer into our store, our Experimac experts will run a thorough diagnostic check of your machine to determine what repairs it needs, or discuss options for upgrades with you. We will work within a reasonable time frame to have your computer up and running like new, and in some cases it may even be ready that same day or hour.

At Experimac Fredericksburg, we are also proud to offer a 90-day warranty on all product repairs. That means that if you bring your computer home and something doesn’t work, we will repair or replace the damaged part at no cost to you.

If you have a vintage Mac computer, don’t give up on it just because Apple Inc. no longer services it. Bring it in to your local Experimac Fredericksburg today, your trusted source for vintage Apple computer repairs and upgrades.